Medical terms starting with O

46 entries

• -oidResembling or like.
• -ole, -uleSmall.
• -omaTumor or mass.
• -opiaVision condition.
• -opsyViewing or examination.
• -osisAbnormal condition or increase.
• -ostomy, -stomySurgical creation of an opening.
• -otomy, -tomyCutting into; incision.
• -ousPertaining to or having the quality of.
• O&POva and parasites: a stool test for parasites and their eggs.
• OAOsteoarthritis: wear-related degeneration of joint cartilage.
• obesityBody weight greater than the healthy range for height; in adults, a BMI of 30 or higher.
• objective dataInformation that can be observed or measured, such as vital signs and test results.
• occult bloodBlood that is hidden and not visible to the eye, as in stool.
• occupational exposureReasonably anticipated contact with blood or OPIM that may result from an employee's job duties.
• OCDObsessive-compulsive disorder.
• ocul/o, ophthalm/oEye.
• OD, OS, OURight eye, left eye, each eye. Error-prone: confused with AD, AS, AU (ears), and OD with once daily. Write the words…
• ointmentA greasy semisolid medication applied to the skin.
• OJOrange juice. Error-prone: misread as OD or OS. Write orange juice.
• oligo-Few, scanty, or too little.
• onc/oTumor; cancer.
• onset of actionThe time from giving a drug until it begins to work.
• onych/oNail of a finger or toe.
• oophor/o, ovari/oOvary.
• open-ended questionA question that invites a detailed answer in the patient's own words, such as "Tell me about your pain."
• operant conditioningLearning in which behavior is shaped by the consequences that follow it, such as rewards.
• OPIMOther potentially infectious materials: body fluids and tissues treated like blood under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens…
• opioidA class of strong pain-relieving drugs derived from opium, which comes from the poppy plant.
• orchi/o, orchid/oTestis (testicle).
• order of drawThe CLSI sequence for filling blood tubes so additives do not carry over: blood cultures, light blue citrate, serum…
• organA distinct structure made of two or more tissue types that performs a specific job.
• organ systemA group of organs working together to carry out a major body function.
• ortho-Straight, upright, normal, or correct.
• orthopneaDifficulty breathing when lying flat, eased by sitting upright.
• orthostatic hypotensionA drop in blood pressure when the patient moves from lying or sitting to standing, which can cause dizziness.
• OSAObstructive sleep apnea: pauses in breathing during sleep caused by a blocked airway.
• OSHAOccupational Safety and Health Administration: the federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety rules.
• oste/oBone.
• osteoarthritisDegenerative joint disease from breakdown of joint cartilage.
• osteoporosisLoss of bone mass that makes bones weak and likely to break.
• ot/oEar.
• otalgiaEar pain (earache).
• OTCOver the counter: a medication that can be bought without a prescription.
• out-of-pocket limitThe most a patient must pay for covered services in a plan year; after that the plan pays 100 percent.
• oxy-Oxygen; also sharp or quick.